OUR SKIN BREATHES!
However, this natural process, which is at work every moment of our lives, can be disrupted in a number of situations:
- by our environment, such as seasonal changes, which require the skin to adapt for an additional period of time, or when our immediate surroundings are not sufficiently healthy (polluted interiors, excessive heat, excessive air conditioning, etc.) ;
- but also through our own direct actions, such as using unsuitable or overly aggressive skin care products that
will unnecessarily overload or strip the skin, preventing it from breathing smoothly and evenly across its entire surface.
By helping our skin to better perform this essential function, we enable it to obtain better cellular oxygenation and be better adapted and protected to face the hazards of everyday life.
HOW DOES OUR SKIN BREATHE?
Our skin breathes from every pore, every moment.
And it has its work cut out for it, because the surface area is enormous (let's not forget that it's the largest of our organs!).
On top of that, it doesn't react in the same way depending on its nature, fragility or even context (such as a degraded environment: pollution, high heat, intense cold...).
Of course, this breathing has nothing to do with our lungs, which supply our body with a massive amount of vital oxygen and reject carbon dioxide.
However, cutaneous respiration is just as important, as it keeps the skin healthy and evacuates heat when necessary, while regulating our body temperature (essential when moving from outdoors
or when seasonal changes are more marked).
The skin ensures this “breathing” according to a well-defined cycle that enables it to constantly regenerate itself, a process also known as cell renewal...
AN INCREDIBLE CAPACITY FOR CELL REGENERATION
When our cellular metabolism is functioning properly and without environmental interference (such as pollution...), cell renewal is fully activated and the skin is perfectly oxygenated.
The skin evacuates toxins and dead cells that have migrated to the surface (a phenomenon known as desquamation, imperceptible most of the time), and uses the surrounding oxygen and essential nutrients to create and nourish new skin cells in the different layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis).
The result is suppler, visibly brighter, fresher-looking skin! Skin is best protected when this barrier is healthy and well-balanced.
EVACUATION OF TOXINS AND THE SKIN BARRIER
The skin naturally excretes sweat (always with a view to thermal regulation, when we're playing sport or running a fever, for example...).
Metabolic waste products are evacuated along with dead cells directly through the skin's pores.
It's a delicate balance that allows us to :
- eliminate certain waste products from the body,
- preserve the skin's microbiome (made up of good bacteria and micro-organisms that prevent the colonization of the skin by pathogenic bacteria and viruses)
- and, at the same time, physically protect us from harmful substances and external aggression (stratum corneum).
THE RISKS OF POOR SKIN RESPIRATION
Dull, tired complexion, appearance of wrinkles, loss of firmness, skin inflammation (acne, rosacea...)...
When the skin's breathing process isn't working properly, it can lead to skin problems of varying degrees of severity.
The accumulation of impurities and sebum (sometimes produced in excessive quantities by the sebaceous glands at puberty, or in the case of oily skin) can clog pores, leading to acne flare-ups or the appearance of pigmentation spots.
Cell regeneration can also be disrupted by poor oxygenation and problems evacuating dead cells, which can lead to redness, unsightly patches... It is therefore important to understand why regeneration
regeneration is less effective or, on the contrary, abnormally accelerated (as in the case of psoriasis).
HOW CAN WE HELP OUR SKIN BREATHE BETTER?
- Hydration is the key to good skin oxygenation!
This means drinking enough water every day to meet our physical needs, as well as moisturizing the skin with a care product suited to its phototype (skin type) and climatic conditions.
The seawater in our skin care products is perfectly suited to this purpose, as it acts in osmosis with the skin and supports the skin's natural breathing process.
- Proper skin cleansing is essential morning and evening (or after any strenuous effort) to remove dead skin cells, sweat and toxins. You can also exfoliate once or twice a month (but not more than that, to avoid damaging the hydrolipidic film).
Make sure you don't overload your skin with covering cosmetics or creams that are too rich and tend to clog pores.
- Oxygenation also means taking a deep breath of fresh air every day to stimulate blood circulation and cell renewal!
- Activate cell regeneration with a facial sculpting session. I've designed a guide to introduce you to this remarkable practice and its many benefits, which you can download free of charge here:
https://www.oceanelarvor.com/modelage-du-visage-oceau-marine-1/
